Independence Movement Day

On Thursday I had a much needed day off for the national holiday, Independence Movement Day. Lauren and I joined another awesome travel group called, WinK (When in Korea), and took the day to learn about the history of this holiday.

The March 1st Movement marks one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. In 1919 people of every class entered the streets and demanded national independence. The movement began in the area of Cheonan, Korea, which is about an hour from Dongbaek. In this area lies the Independence Hall of Korea which was built in 1987 to help people "reflect on Korea's sad history and the importance of nationhood."

Because we visited on Independence Movement Day, there were a lot of amazing exhibits and shows.

While we were walking around we were stopped by a few students that asked us what our favorite Korean food was. They were so cute! My votes for bipimbap. Yumm!!

After Independence Hall, we took the bus over to the Gyeonggi-do Shooting Range. I was so excited to try shooting again. I've been once before, but this time I wanted to try shooting a shot gun. I decided on shooting a shot gun and a glock 9mm. I felt very empowered that day! Considering Korea has a very strict no guns policy, I was surprised to hear they even had a range.  

the only 2 that hit the target

This weekend was spent resting and sleeping my way back to good health. After a stressful week at work, I got a horrible cold. Luckily my parents so kindly had sent me meds that I was able to recover quickly. Tomorrow starts new classes with new kindergarten babies, as well as, new elementary students. I'm excited, yet sad that I will no longer be teaching Elmo class. I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Miss you all!! 

-Jenn xoxo

Graduation!

After months of prepping, our 7-year old kindergarten classes were finally ready to graduate on to elementary school. This is not only an event that showcases our work, but it's also a HUGE event for Korean Moms. The students worked really hard to memorize scripts and songs. I'm so proud of the 16 students that are moving onto first grade. I'm going to sound like my Mom and Dad right now, but geesh kids grow up way too fast!


My job for the ceremony was to be the English speaking MC. So basically I was to stand in front of the audience and announce after my korean co-teacher. I love public speaking, so I was so excited to have this task! To begin the ceremony, all the kinder classes opened with singing in their cute little costumes.

The three graduating classes acted out scenes from "The Sound of Music." I was in charge of teaching Barney class "So Long, Farewell." I was so proud of them!!

Of course the show stoppers were my Elmo babies with their little song I taught them. I loooove them so so much! Sadly the video I took below was when Isaac was out sick.

The 6-year old classes acted out the play of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." Below are some pictures I took before and during graduation. Please take note of some of the costumes...poor kids!

so fly

hated his tux

girliest costume a boy could ask for

the back

Amy and Soo

trouble makers

Clifford presenting Endangered Species

Zinna

Sally and Gabriel

 I can't even begin to explain just how happy graduation is over. Although it was a great celebration, many days of stress came along with it. Starting Monday each teacher will be given new classes and new students. I'm so sad to say goodbye to the little ones I adore, but i look forward to meeting new ones.


Miss you all!
-Jenn

Party! Party! Party!

February has been a big month of celebrations and it's not over yet. This past week, we celebrated our monthly Birthdays at school. Nothing says "Happy Birthday" in Korea better them some cake, pizza, and fried chicken. These are three items that are always on the menu.

Barney class

My favorite part about Birthday parties are being able to play with my little babies! :)

Princess Sevin

My sweet Isaac

Three of cutest but worst behaving students at ILS.

With graduation approaching in a week and a half, stress has become a daily occurrence. On Thursday myself and a few other teachers stayed three hours after quitting time to finish up poster boards for the kids' presentation. Luckily, our boss was so kind to treat us to a nice Italian dinner afterward!

On Saturday a few of my friends thought we'd be adventurous and check out Hooters in Seoul. It sits right next to one of my favorite buildings in Seoul. I call it the "Swiss cheese building"... because it looks like Swiss cheese. The food was bad and it was the worst service I have ever had here in Korea. Needless to say, I won't be going back nor do I recommend this place to anyone. 

After dinner, I celebrated two Birthdays for two awesome Canadians. The party was scheduled to be held at a hotel, which was the perfect venue for the classy and lovely Miss Gillian. Unfortunately, after about 20 minutes into the party we got kicked out. This did not stop us! We continued the celebration at a norebang. A norebang is a private room that you can rent out with your friends and sing karaoke. It's seriously the best thing to ever be invented. The best parties are the parties that don't go as planned! :)

Birthday boy & Birthday girl

It was great week here in the ROK! Spring seems to be teasing us with warmer weather. I can't even begin to tell you just how nice it feels to have above 30 degree temperatures. This coming week will be yet another week of graduation prep, celebrations, and farewells. 


I hope everyone has a fabulous week! Miss you all so so much! <3


-Jenn xoxo

I Met Anthony Rapp! OMG!!

I can't believe another week has just passed me by. Due to a nasty case of food poisoning on Monday, I was forced to take it easy and relax this whole week. Even though I was not feeling 100%, I refused to spend my weekend wasting away in my apartment. 

I found an awesome group called Meetup Korea that brings people, both Korean and foreign, together through events. I was lucky enough to score free tickets to see Anthony Rapp perform his memoir "Without You" in Seoul. For those who may not be familiar with Anthony Rapp, he is a famous Broadway and film actor. He's most famous for his role as Mark Cohen in the show RENT. 

The memoir was about love, loss and success. It told the story about his life when RENT was just getting started and the loss of his mother. I can't even begin to express just how amazing this show was!! It was so touching and he showed such raw emotion, that at times I found myself crying hysterically. His voice alone, singing songs like "Seasons of Love" and "No Day But Today," brought chills to my body.

After the show, Anthony was signing autographs and taking pictures. Of course I was not going to pass up this opportunity. 

"There's only this
Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today"

It was such a great day! I'm so glad that i got the opportunity to see such a gifted artist. The next couple weeks will be full of  more Birthday celebrations and our school's kinder graduation. I'll be sure to have lots more to update you all on!


-Jenn xoxo